Costly golfing causes consideration for county-run course

It's called the golf capital of the world, but many people say Naples is struggling when it comes to affordable places to play a round or two.

For many people, a day on the golf course is the perfect way to spend time with family.

“Oh my gosh. Top notch. A lot of people that come down here they want to be outside, they want to be walking around and seeing nature and what better way to do it than this,” said Lynn Van Beneden, resident of Naples.

She wanted to take her brother golfing for the day but says she had a hard time finding any public course that could fit them in and wouldn't cost a fortune.

“Unless you know someone in one of the resorts or one of the privately-owned areas, you can't get in. It's impossible,” Van Beneden said.

Many people say a day of golf can get expensive especially when you think about the fees for the club, golfballs, and the greens.

Collier County has hired a consulting firm to look at the possibility of opening a county-owned course that could fix the problem.

Dan Sullivan with the Sports Council of Collier County says a public course would make golf more accessible and affordable.

“It's good for Naples. Not just the next generation. It's good for Naples and Collier County to show we're putting back into the coffers as it were to take care of the families that are coming here now,” Sullivan said.

Van Beneden says if the sport was more affordable, the courses would be packed with young families like hers.

“Kids, in general, they need an outlet, and I think golf would be perfect."

Collier County commissioners will decide if they want to move forward with a public course at Tuesday’s meeting.